Bishôjo Senshi Sailor Moon: Act Zero (2005) (V)

Director:

Ryuta Tazaki

Writer:

Naoko Takeuchi (creator)

Release Date:

25 March 2005 (Japan)

Genre:

Fantasy

Tagline:

Sailor V's Birth!

Cast

Miyuu Sawai	...	Usagi Tsukino
Chisaki Hama	...	Ami Mizuno (as Rika)
Keiko Kitagawa	...	Rei Hino
Myuu Azama	...	Makoto Kino (as Mew Azama)
Ayaka Komatsu	...	Minako Aino / Sailor V
Keiko Han	...	Luna (voice)
Kappei Yamaguchi	...	Artemis (voice)
Masaya Kikawada	...	Motoki Furuhata
Moeko Matsushita	...	Hina Kusaka
Jyoji Shibue	...	Mamoru Chiba / Tuxedo Kamen
Akira Kubodera	...	Kuroi
Yoshito Endoh	...	Shiroi (as Yoshito Endoh)
Hiroyuki Matsumoto	...	Akai
Jun Masuo	...	Hanako
Izam	...	Cutie Kenko

Runtime:

Japan:60 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Company:

Toei Company

A solid prequel to "PGSM"

Act Zero really isn't a Zero at all. It's more like a 8 out of 10. I thought my colleague Eched was exaggerating when he praised it so much, but he didn't. It was mad fun! A completely relaxed comedy! Apparently it was filmed in 2005, one year after "PGSM" ended. It all started at Christmas night in Tokyo where people were singing "Silent night" and Minako ( Ayaka Komatsu ) was on the top of a building and watching the moon. Suddenly Artemis fell from the moon and gave her the power to transform into Sailor V. She then went on to fight a robber in a goofy manner ( she threw her "boomerang" at him, but missed ). But the real trouble is yet awaiting her: she has to stop a mastermind criminal, known as the boss, who robs banks and jewel stores with a help of 3 evil girls.

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Then the story shifted into Usagi's home where a TV report was playing. It seems the robberies in Juuban district became almost a daily thing! And of course, the people where furious at the police which "failed to catch any criminal". The funniest part of the story had Usagi and Naru go to that washed up Police station ( with a sign "Don't throw stones at us"!!!) and observing the chaos in it brought by the 4 policemen, played by the 4 future generals of Queen Beryl. Jadeite is now a Police girl (!) and looks hilarious in his skirt! Nephrite is still nervous and edgy and has to take some pills to calm down, but always says "Disgusting! Disgusting!" while eating them ( it's an another inside joke since the pills are called "Ami-tan 1000", a pun at Ami and how she gave him home made cookies which were disgusting ). Zoisite "died" right in his first scene because of his anemia, reenacting his future Zoisite death move by move, up to the imaginary piano playing. And Kunzite was the most aggressive Police officer, causing even Nephrite to say: "He's the scariest of us all!" Of course, the confused Naru and Usagi just simply left the station as soon as possible. And those 3 evil girls dressed in black leather skirts looked cool, but it's hard to say if they really are a homage to the Amazon Quartet. Still, a hilarious fun full of reference jokes.

The second half of the Act was a lot weaker. The fighting sequences seemed really fake and cheesy, but they were OK. Makoto, Ami and Rei had small appearances while Usagi ( she talked Naru and her friends to dress as Sailor V's helpers, and every girl liked the idea, watching their figures in a Senshi costume as if it was the newest fashion lipstick they have to try on )was the main character together with Minako. The ending scene with Luna could be scraped ( it is too silly ), but all in all Act zero was a lot of fun and should be included into the regular "PGSM" show. It was just the right thing for Christmas.

Grade: 8/10